Why is U.S. pushing Trans-Pacific trade agreement?

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images

Activists wait for a press conference on Capitol Hill June 10 in Washington, D.C. Democratic lawmakers and activists held the press conference to protest the fast tracking of Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Activists wait for a press conference on Capitol Hill June 10 in Washington, D.C. Democratic lawmakers and activists held the press conference to protest the fast tracking of Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images)

Opinion: Have trade agreements benefited workers?

Much of what is part of the trade agreements the United States has signed is the hope that other countries will improve their labor, environmental and human rights records and substantially open their markets to our goods, but that has not happened.

Then why are President Obama and the Republicans looking to do it all over again by passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership?